Topographical Engineers
The Topographical Engineers of the Army were key to the opening of the Western US,
especially in the years after the Mexican War. Here is an excerpt of the diaries of
the Topogs that traveled the same route as the Army of the West. It is
interesting reading and will give some insight into the difficulty of journey.

As a member of the 1st Dragoons, 1st Lt. Ingalls traveled
with the Army of the West from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe under the command of Colonel
Steven Watts Kearny. Not a shot was fired to take the New Mexican capital.

The
march from Leavenworth to New Mexico was certainly more treacherous to the Army of the
West than the capture of the Nuevo Mexico capital of Santa Fe. Many of the soldiers
died from disease along the march.

Once the territory was in American hands and a civilian government established, General
Stephen Watts Kearny and 300 dragoons left for California. On the trail to
California Kearny encountered the famous scout Kit Carson, who informed the General that
California was controlled by the U.S.

Kearny sent 200 of the dragoons back to Santa Fe, talked Carson into returning to
California with him and proceeded on.

It is reported that Rufus was among the first troops to enter California.
However, he was at the battles of Embudo Pass and Taos with Colonel Sterling Price
in early 1847. These battles were the result of an uprising of the locals that
resulted in the death of Governor Bent and some others.

The trail goes a bit cold as to how Rufus got to California, but his arrival was by
ship. Possibly, he returned to the east for a well deserved vacation or marched to the
coast?